In a world with cruel twists and turns, adoption and foster care stands as a beacon of hope, providing children with a chance to have a home and build their dreams for a better future.
Across places and cultures within the country, stories of compassion and resilience show that despite the odds, warmth and affection as well as unwavering commitment to child care prevails.
In the heart of the advocacy for renewed hope and love in the Ilocos Region is the Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) 1 as attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, helping children look for adoptive families.
Furthering adoption and foster care in Region 1
This June, the RACCO 1 is holding a set of activities to further the advocacy on adoption and foster care. This is in line with the observance of the 2024 Adoption and Alternative Child Care (AACC) Week.
On June 8, the RACCO 1 staged an Adoption and Foster Care Forum at the Robinsons Place La Union, bringing together Adoption and Alternative Child Care Advocates, Child Welfare Professionals, Adoptive and Foster Families, and partner regional line agencies throughout the region.
The set of activities in La Union culminated with a Bisig-Kleta bike ride for a cause activity in Bauang, La Union on June 12, which aims to gather support and advocate for increased awareness on adoption and foster care.
The set of activities is in line with Republic Act (RA) 11642 or the “Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act” which designates the second week of June as AACC Week.
Types of adoption in the Philippines
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), RACCO 1’s mother agency, there are two types of adoption available for adoptive children and families in the Philippines.
The first is through agency adoption, when the DSWD and licensed adoption agencies find adoptive families for children who were involuntarily or voluntarily committed to the state.
The second is family or relative adoption, when the biological family directly places a child for adoption to a relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity.
Hiyasmin Joy O. Nieva-Rabelas, OIC-RACC Officer of Region 1, says the set of activities this June hope to raise awareness on adoption and foster care to provide steady and loving homes to children in need.
“We believe [these activities] can effectively raise awareness about adoption and alternative child care while fostering a sense of community involvement and solidarity,” Nieva-Rabelas said.
Fostering connection beyond blood
Licensed foster parent Ranilo Ipac from San Fernando City, La Union meanwhile says that more than bringing joy to his foster child, guiding her towards growth and development transcends blood relations and brings a sense of fulfillment.
“Taking care of my foster child made me realize that I am capable of caring and nurturing as well, of hopefully providing a good future for my [foster] child,” Ipac said.
Ipac adds that children in need of fostering or adoption deserve a loving home where they can continue their development and have a chance at a normal life.
RACCO 1 implores other prospective foster and adoptive parents to seek assistance from their local social welfare and development office (LSWDO) or to the nearest RACCO office to legalize the process of adopting or fostering children.
These activities show that besides relations forged by blood and beyond the notions of traditional family, adoption and alternative child care redefines peoples’ idea of kinship.
As we navigate life’s ups and down, it is crucial to extend a helping hand to children in dire need of love and assistance, showing the resilience of the human experience.
Doing so is crucial because amidst our differences, humanity’s tapestry, every story, and thread weaves into a single narrative of hope and love built around the lasting power of family. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
